Can Dogs Eat Bananas? Pros and Cons

Does your dog love bananas? He wouldn’t be the only one to do so. Many dogs adore bananas as a sweet treat, but is it good or bad for them? As with so many things in life, the answer to this question is “That depends.” To give you the full picture, let’s go through the pros and cons of dogs eating bananas along with a few dos and don’ts.

The Good

Bananas are rich in potassium, and some vets even recommend them as a treat. They’re rich in fibre that helps your dog’s digestion, and magnesium in bananas helps with nutrient absorption and bone health.

Most dogs love bananas and will very happily consume their sweet treat. Mash it up, stuff it in a Kong, and your dog will be entertained for hours chewing away to get at his tasty reward. That’s great news for pet owners who need to leave their dogs alone at home for hours on end. Boredom often ends in mischief and anxious dogs whose humans aren’t at home often self-harm through excessive licking.

The bad

First and most importantly, some dogs are allergic to bananas. It’s pretty rare, but it does happen. To limit risk, be cautious the first time your dog gets banana. Feed him a little piece and then keep an eye on him for any signs of discomfort.

As a human being, you know that it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Only think how you’d gain weight and how upset your tummy would be if you ate lots of chocolate every day. The same thing is true for dogs and bananas. They’re great as an occasional treat, but don’t give them too much at once, and don’t give them banana every single day.

You should also watch your dog to make sure he isn’t eating the banana up in great gulps without chewing. It’s almost a sure-fire way to cause constipation. If your dog tends to wolf treats down, mash the banana or at least slice it up a bit.

Peels

I’ve read plenty of sources that say you shouldn’t give your dogs banana peels. The argument against it is that they swallow them and this causes problems. I’d say that depends on the dog.

My lab used to love banana peels as toys, and she never ate them up. She’d grab the banana peel by the middle and shake it, slapping both sides of her face with the ends of the peel. It seemed to give her immense pleasure. Then, she’d spread the banana peel out, hold it in place with her paw, and delicately pick out the stringy bits of flesh that cling to the inside of the peels.

I’m sure it wasn’t bad for her, and it was very entertaining to watch her having fun!

Always check before giving dogs “human” foods

In moderation, bananas are good for dogs, but that isn’t true of all foods that humans eat. Before you give your dog any human foods, do check whether they’ll be safe. When in doubt, don’t feed your dog something new even if he or she seems eager to try it. It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.